Los Angeles, CA – April 4, 2018 – TMS Entertainment USA announces that a new style of anime series inspired by TOMORROW’S JOE (aka Ashita no Joe), called MEGALOBOX, will launch on Crunchyroll on April 5th, simultaneously with Japan’s broadcast.
 
MEGALOBOX (13 x 30-minute episodes) began from the enthusiasm throughout the world for the celebration of TOMORROW’S JOE’s 50th anniversary. This original anime series will have a new type of retro-anime style that will begin a trend that states: what is old is new again. 
 
The series has highly proclaimed members on the production team: Director and Conceptual Design by Yo Moriyama (Visual Concept for the TV series Screening Giant) and Series Composition and Screenplay by Katsuhiko Manabe (Screenplay for the movie Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior)
 
The show is a futuristic boxing drama that will appeal to a broader age range with the younger crowd looking at the cool retro art style and the older crowd reminiscing about the classics. The dramatic animation and music consisting of contemporary hip-hop will draw in its audience.
 
“As a child in Japan, I remember watching TOMORROW’S JOE and my brother collected all the comics. What MEGALOBOX will bring is that cool retro look of the original and merge it into a futuristic dystopia that no one has ever done before. It’s really bringing a new form of Anime style to the next level!” said Masami Tokunaga, Vice President of TMS USA.
About TMS Entertainment USA:
TMS Entertainment USA, Inc. is a subsidiary of TMS Entertainment Co., Ltd. (better known as TMS), one of the world’s largest and most distinguished animation studios.  TMS has won recognition from the international filmmaking industry for its highly-acclaimed animation, pioneering techniques and proud commitment to quality. With a dedicated team of development, production and design executives, TMS’s growing reputation is reflected by the versatility, artistry and originality of the programs the company has produced for international markets worldwide.
Established in 1964, TMS has produced more than 200 features, and over 100 TV program series, with a total of 12,000 half hours for global distribution. TMS programs have attained worldwide recognition and TMS will continue to strive for excellence.
TMS website: www.tms-e.com/english/
 
About Crunchyroll:
Crunchyroll is the world’s largest destination for anime and manga, boasting a global community of more than 35 million registered users and over 1 million subscribers. Fans connect through the most complete anime library including “Naruto Shippuden,” “Attack on Titan,” and “Dragon Ball Super,” events such as Crunchyroll Expo, Anime Awards, Crunchyroll News, and can purchase related merchandise through its online store. Through its app on game consoles, set-top boxes, mobile devices and more, Crunchyroll delivers content from leading media producers directly to viewers translated professionally in multiple languages. The service is available for free or through a premium offering that allows users to watch ad-free with access to simulcasts—top series available immediately after Japanese broadcast. Fans can also view Crunchyroll on VRV, an audience-focused aggregation platform featuring premium SVOD channels and a curated house channel, VRV Select.
 
About TOMORROW’S JOE:
TOMORROW’S JOE (aka Ashita no Joe) is one of the masterpieces shining in the history of manga in Japan. This work launched in the “January 1, 1968 issue” Weekly Shonen Magazine. The manga was written by Asao Takamori (Ikki Kajiwara) and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba. Joe Yabuki was who escaped from his orphanage. He encounters boxing and rival, Toru Rikiishi. 
In 1970, the first TV anime series, TOMORROW’S JOE (79 x 30-minute episodes) debuted and, in 1971, the first anime feature, TOMORROW’S JOE: MOVIE, was launched. After a decade, in 1980, the second TV anime, TOMORROW’S JOE 2 (47 x 30-minute episodes) started broadcasting and, in 1981, TOMORROW’S JOE 2: MOVIE was released. It was also adapted into live-action films and stage plays.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, a new anime series, MEGALOBOX, inspired by TOMORROW’S JOE will be launching in April 2018.
Ashita no Joe 50th Anniversary website: http://joe-50th.com/ (Japanese)
MEGALOBOX website: http://megalobox.com/ (Japanese)